Dolly Parton Accepts Role As Singing Chicken In Kids Show

Dolly Parton will voice a singing chicken named Noleen for a special episode of Lily’s Driftwood Bay, an Irish animated program for preschool children.

Parton says, “I’ve never played a chicken before but I have been known to lay a few eggs! Noleen is a very famous chicken, probably one of the most famous chickens ever there was. She washes up on Driftwood Bay and she’s trying to get Salty to go with her on tour. Now whether he does or whether he doesn’t, you’ll just have to watch and see!”

In Parton’s special double-length episode, Noleen’s luxury yacht gets beached on Driftwood Bay during a storm, much to the surprise of her greatest – and rather starstruck — fan, Lord Stag (Stephen Fry). An impromptu concert sees old sea dog Salty (Peter Mullan) duet with Noleen, who’s astonished by his talent and tries to persuade him to come on tour with her. The episode, titled ‘The Salty Chicken,’ will air next year.

Show creator and producer Colin Williams says, “‘The Salty Chicken’ was the first story outline that we wrote for series two and it was always Dolly that I wanted. It took me a year to convince her but what an honor to meet her, work with her and have her part of our special show. She’s an amazing and lovely lady — and a Lily fan too!”

A series about making fun and adventure from things that you find, Lily’s Driftwood Bay is produced by Sixteen South featuring characters and environments completely created from objects found washed up on the beach. The series is supported by some production funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

The series starts on Nick Jr. in the UK on June 6, followed by airings on Sprout, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network in the U.S., on June 27.